Jump On The Checkerboard Trend With This Dollar Tree Kitchen Decor Idea

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

From floors inspired by roadside diners to the Mackenzie-Childs tea kettle, checkerboard patterns seem to be everywhere in kitchens these days. And while the use of the motif stretches back centuries, the popularity of the pattern has been picking up steam. Those of us who look at things like Google Trends know that searches for "checkerboard designs" have been climbing upwards with no signs of stopping in 2026. Working the checkerboard theme into your kitchen decor scheme can be as simple as adding the motif to a cutting board, and yet it can be a way to decorate your kitchen to make it feel designer. 

For this clever cutting board DIY, Dollar Tree's Cooking Concepts Bamboo Cutting Board is your best bet for a couple of reasons. It's bamboo, making it not only sturdy but also visually stunning. The natural lightness of the cutting board becomes the "white" squares you associate with a classic checkerboard pattern. To create the inky-hued dark squares on the board, choose a dark stain that contrasts with the cutting board's lightness. The darker the stain, the more dramatic the visual contrast.

The project requires some sanding, so have a few different grades of sandpaper on hand. You'll also need tape to create the grid for the checkerboard design. Painter's tape is recommended here. It won't leave a tacky residue behind on the bamboo once you remove it, yet it should remain fast while you're laying down the pattern. Finally, grab some paint brushes, rags, and a ruler, too. 

Bamboo has a natural waxiness to it. As such, it becomes easier to stain when you sand it with a fine-grade sandpaper first. This gives it the necessary roughness it needs to grab onto the stain. To do this, start by washing the board with mild soap and water. Once it dries, sand it, and then, brush off the dust to ready it for the tape grid.

When putting the tape down on the cutting board, it's critical to approach the job methodically. You want each square on the bamboo to be roughly the same size. Once the stain is applied, it'll be more difficult to correct measurement mistakes in the checkered pattern. Therefore, it's best to use a ruler when you're taping the pattern design. This ensures that the lines of the tape are straight and that each square is the same size.

Once you have the grid, apply the stain to every square on the board. You may need several coats in order to get your desired color. Allow the bamboo to dry completely between coats. Just a note about the stain you choose. If you plan on using this Dollar Tree cutting board for a cute DIY charcuterie board or other food-related tasks, get a food-safe stain, like the Watco Butcher Block Oil + Stain. You can also use a natural substance, like coffee, to stain it. Finally, when the dark squares are the right hue, let it dry, remove the tape, and display the board on the counter to add a checkered pop to your decor scheme.